THE MOUNTAIN-- a journey to salvation

(btw, I'm taking a writing class, which is why many of my recent posts are stories :))

I had grown, and now there was a mountain. My days of innocence had gone, and now I needed to go Home-- the top of the Mountain. 

I wasn't completely certain why this  mountain was mine; after all, there were countless others to choose from. As I scanned the range, I noticed that thought the mountains were different, they all ended in the clouds. 

Behind the clouds was light. 

I looked to my side, to my friend who was to climb this mountain with me. Her mouth hang open as she stared up at it. 

"How will we ever make it?" she asked me. I pointed to the trail, "We just need for follow The Way." 

Before we knew it, we were climbing. The Way was steep and heard. Rocks moved and turned under our feet, creating bruises. Occasionally, we found water and food left for us. There were also signs and notes of encouragement left on the trees; and always counsel never to leave The Way. 

In time, we came to an overlook: a place in the shade with a seat, where we could see how far we'd come, and look up to our goal.  

Then we started moving again. For a while, my friend and I were both optimistic. We both felt energized after the overlook. But when we came to the next deposit of refreshments, my friend refused to join me. 

"I can wait," she said, "I'm still pumped from the overlook." 

"Okay," I said. Worried for her, I ate thoughtfully. 

As we continued, the trail grew harder. My friend insisted on only taking sporadic meals, and soon her strength started to diminish. 

I helped her through the tough spots, and she said she'd eat and drink more, but every time we came to some, she'd just nibble and sip. 

She began to be despondent, and frustrated. 

"Why is the path so hard?" she'd ask me, "Why must we only go 'The Way'?" 

"The Way takes us home," I'd answer, surprised at her questions. "It's the only  Way." 

"Well, what about that  path, over there?" with the arm I wasn't supporting, she pointed off into the trees, where the ground seemed more level, and where a crooked path wound it's way. 

Just then, we came to another overlook. 

"C'mon," I tugged her over to the bench, "Let's rest, and get our bearings." 

Once again, we sat on a bench, and I enjoyed the view. But my friend was jittery, and anxious to explore the crooked path. When we stood again, she went straight into the trees, and onto the path. She gasped, "You've got  to come see this!" 

I hesitated as I reached the edge of The Way. 

"What about food?" I asked. "We'll starve." 

"There's food here, too!" my friend yelled, "And this path take the easy way up he mountain." 

I couldn't let her go off by herself. Maybe I could go convince her to come back, and climb The Way with me. 

Just then, a breeze blew a letter up to my feet. 

No matter how hard it gets, no matter how long it takes, follow The Way. I have gone off onto crooked paths, but they only lead to danger. There is  a Way back to The Way, but it is hard. Trust me, The Way is the only Way. 

(heart) Jen. 

I didn't know Jen, but I knew my friend was in trouble. I had to save her. 

"Wait up!" I called. Already, she'd gone far away. Following, I left The Way. 

As I ran through the trees, I tripped on unseen roots and stones. Soon, I came to a fork in the middle of the road. Which way had my friend gone? 

I shouted her name, but she didn't answer. Fatigued, I looked around for the food she'd mentioned. Finding some, I ate it-- it disappeared in my mouth like a breath. What had I done? 

Then I saw the Way to The Way. By the entrance was another note. 

You've made a mistake, ______. But I've prepared this path for you. You've made it harder than it could've been, but you can still get back home. This Way will lead you home. 

(heart), Your Brother. 

I went. This Way was  hard, but there was real food and water here, and hope! Looking at the thick foliage around me, I knew that this Way had been forged with a  great sacrifice. 

At last, I reached The Way again-- right where I'd left it. I still had scars from my time off the path, but they had healed. I went over to the overlook where I'd last seen my friend. I looked up the Mountain to where Home was, and felt a renewed vigor and dedication to get there. 

I started climbing once more. Although it was still difficult, I had faith that I was heading Home. 

Occasionally, I could see the crooked path; but I also saw pits, cliffs, ledges, and dead ends. I hoped and prayed that my friend would make it back. 

As I was resting at another overlook, I heard someone running up behind me. I turned, and cried for joy! There was my friend! Out of breath and scarred, but happy and strong. I asked her what had happened. 

"After I left The Way, I followed the crooked path to a river. I ate a lot of the food, but it was never enough. The crooked path led through a river, and there was no other way for me to go. I decided I could swim it. I never even got half-way.

"The river pulled me farther and farther down; I struggled for breath! …" my friend shook her head as she stared at the ground. I put my arms around her, and listened. 

"I knew I would be taken down the Mountain, all the way. I didn't want that. I wanted to go Home again. I'd forgotten my goal, and my purpose. But once I remembered and desired it again, the oddest thing happened. Someone gave me strength. I used it, and swam as swiftly as I could for the bank.  

"When I finally got out, I was stained a muddy brown. I found another path, but it seemed different from the crooked paths. Following it, I came to a pond, with a sign that said "Malada," and some hard soap. I knew what to do. I took the soap, and washed up!" 

I looked into my friends eyes: sparkling, looking up at the Mountain. 

"It felt so good to be clean again," she breathed softly. 

"How did you catch up with me so quickly?" I asked her. 

"I ran. I ran all The Way. I ate the food, drank the water, and stopped at every overlook I could," she stood, "And now I'm ready to begin again. Shall we go?" 

So we did. We got up, and climbed the Mountain.

Agency.... what is that?

The agency I'm thinking of isn't specifically business, or anything like that.
This agency is the freedom to choose. God gave us our agency before we were born. Next to the gift of life, agency is the second greatest gift we've ever recieved.
Why is that, you may ask? (You should read the Giver. It's not an LDS book, but it's a story that illustrates what life might be like if our agency were taken away.) The purpose of this life is to show that we will CHOOSE to follow Heavenly Father and His plan. How can we do that if we can't choose?

When we were still innocent spirits, living with our Heavenly Father, He told us about His plan: that we'd come to earth, have bodies, and have a chance to prove that we'd CHOOSE His way. He told us that someone would go to earth and pay the price for us, so that we could repent of our mistakes. After He told us this, someone stood up, and announced that they had a different plan.
This is Lucifer. Satan. His plan took away our agency, and forced us to follow his directions. He would take all the glory for himself.
Then, yet another person stood up.
It was Jesus. Our Savior. He told everyone that God's plan was the perfect plan. He offered Himself as the sacrifice so that we could return.
There was then a war in heaven, and we each CHOSE which side we'd fight for. If you are reading this, you chose the right side-- God's side. I know this, because everyone who fought with God was able to come to earth, and have their agency. 

This is a great scripture illustrating the two main choices we have in this life: 27 Wherefore, men are ^afree according to the ^bflesh; and ^call things are ^dgiven them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to ^echoose ^fliberty and eternal ^glife, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be ^hmiserable like unto himself.

 28 And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great ^aMediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit; (2 Nephi 2:27-28, Book of Mormon)

Now, just because there's a choice doesn't mean that there are no consequences. Like the scripture says, your choice determines the consequences: liberty and eternal life, or captivity with the devil. 
"For the Strength of Youth" (a book which outlines the standards of the church specifically for teenagers) says this about agency: You are responsible for the choices you make. God is mindful of you and will help you make good choices...
So you aren't alone in your endeavor for righteousness.
Also, "as (you) obey each of (your) Heavenly Father's commandments, (you) grow in wisdom and strength of character. (Your) faith increases. (You) find it easier to make right choices." (Gospel Principles, pg 19.)

I know that if we use our agency wisely and make the right choices, that we will be able to live with God again. I know that He trusted us enough to give us agency. I know that it is possible for EVERYONE to make it Home.

Our Saviour--Christ

Wow. There is just so much that Christ has done. So many roles He plays. So much to talk about :).

I found this amazing site which lists talks given about Christ, and makes basic things easy to find:
http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/ 
I feel that I should go through these, and learn more about Christ through the words of living prophets. I hope you will too ;).

Here is a direct quotation from another Church resource site:
Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and the Son of God. He is our Redeemer. Each of these titles points to the truth that Jesus Christ is the only way by which we can return to live with our Heavenly Father.  
Jesus suffered and was crucified for the sins of the world, giving each of God’s children the gift of repentance and forgiveness. Only by His mercy and grace can anyone be saved. His subsequent resurrection prepared the way for every person to overcome physical death as well. These events are called the Atonement. In short, Jesus Christ saves us from sin and death. For that, He is very literally our Savior and Redeemer.
In the future Jesus Christ will return to reign on earth in peace for a thousand years. Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and He will be our Lord forever.

Some people say that Mormons aren't Christian. After all, we're called Mormons aren't we? (well, first, I'd point out that there are Lutherans, for example, and others who go by names of influencial people in their religion). But the main point is, that that is just our nickname, which comes from the "Book of Mormon."
This is an apostle talking about it:

The official name of the Church is The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints (we are also known as "LDS", an acronym for "Latter-Day Saints").
But the Church, and many in it, are Christian.
Like it says in our first Article of Faith: "We believe in God... and in His Son, Jesus Christ..." That is the first statement of our belief.
Anyway, back to the actualy man of Christ.

The Church has come out with an ongoing project: videos of the life of Christ

I love watching videos about the Atonement. When you see (a recreation of) what Christ did for us... your heart stirs, and you can't help but realize that you're feeling something.
Here are some of my favorites (yes, they are the last ones :)):

Here are other ones, made on Easter:

This next one is amazing. Put simply, and inadequately: I love it.

(Yes, I do use a lot of videos, but they teach in another dimension, that I can't)

I know that Jesus Christ lived and lives. He paid the price for us to live with Him and Heavenly Father again. Because of the Atonement, it's like the gates of Heaven were opened to us. I know that He loves us, and that He is waiting for us to show that we're committed to Him, and His purpose.

Twelve Years

A Retelling of Mark 5 and Luke 8 by Tova
All scripture references are taken from the King James Version of the Bible

I stare at him in shock. This feeling I've had, inside of me, is bleeding? It can be fixed, he says... with a miracle. 

*** 

That same day... 

Looking at my wife, I smile; then turn back to my little girl, my firstborn. She smiles at me.  

"We did it, Jairus," I hear my wife say. "We've been blessed." 

I nod to her. Gently taking her hand, I squeezed it with the force of my love. This child filled something in me that I hadn't know was void. 

*** 

Twelve years later... 

Oh please, Messiah! Come, take me away from here! Save my daughter!  

All night I have worked, my husband beside me. All night, yet still she fades. Our only one, our blessing. 

Please, Messiah! Please! 

The Messiah. 

I turn to my husband, "Jairus, search out Jesus. Find Him, beg Him to come." 

Briskly nodding, he steps out, and leaves. I turn back to our daughter-- pale, on the threshold of death. 

*** 

I must get to Him. He can heal my daughter. No matter what the Pharisees say; No matter if I lose my place in the synagogue; I must find Him 

*** 

The man from the synagogue hurries past me. I can barely touch his hem as he rushes past. I am too weak to go many places now. I just sit here, focusing on living.  

Too many physicians. Too many herbs. My issue is just the same, or worse, than it was twelve years ago. I just wait here for my chance; for my time.  

The lepers speak of Him, as do those who were lame. Jesus of Nazareth, the Savior. He can heal me. I must wait for Him. Even if I only touch His cloak, that will be enough. I just need Him near. 

*** 

Stretching, I step off of the ship. Across the sea, I'd just seen a mad man freed from the legion of devils which had bound him. Musing, I looked at the man walking in front of me, meeting the people. Nothing much on the outside, a normal face and stature. Yet inside, you could tell, He was pure, radiant, loving, innocent, guiltless, and all other things good. Whenever His eyes rested on me, I knew He knew me, and loved me in spite of that. A feeling rose up with in me, which I'd come to recognize. It was the feeling He brought, and that thoughts of Him brought. It rose from my heart into my throat, and tried to express itself, but my mind understood that there was no words which could conjure this feeling, except words expressed by Him. 

A man is racing through the crowd, right up to the Master. Falling on his knees, he cries out, "Lord, my little daughter lies at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy ahands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live" 

How amazing that this man, a ruler of the synagogue-- where many have rejected the Master-- should show such faith. 

Of course, the Master agrees, and follows the man. The crowd follows us, pushing in from all sides. 

*** 

I can see an unusual crowd coming. Could it be? Yes! I see Him! He is at the front, smiling, with His hands reaching out; comforting, accepting gifts. Where His hands can not reach, His eyes go. Bridges of light offering love to one and all.  

I don't ask for His hands, or even for a glance from His eyes. I just need a bit of his garment, a brief contact, and I will be whole.  

He's approaching. I gather my strength. Just one moment... please.... It happens! Through the crowd, I reach, and barely catch the tip. I feel a surge coming in me, and my bleeding stops. 

*** 

The Master is no longer following the ruler. He's looking around. What could He be looking for? 

"Who touched me?" 

Confused, I ask Him, "Thou sees the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?" 

"Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that power as gone out of me." 

Power. Had some devil come? Or was it something more simple, more righteous? 

*** 

He's searching the crowd. Could He have perceived my small touch? I didn't disturb Him, did I? I never meant to cause trouble. I never even spoke.  

Soon, He will see me. Trembling, I step forward, and our eyes meet. All my fear washes away with those love-bright eyes. I tell Him what I'd done, and why.  

"Daughter, be of good cheer. Thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." 

*** 

As the Master speaks, a servant runs up to the ruler--Jairus-- who has been waiting impatiently behind us. I catch their whispered words: "Thy daughter is dead. Trouble not the Master." Turning, I can see the ruler's face fill with despair. He nearly drops, but miraculously, the Master is there. 

"Fear not, only believe, and she shall be made whole." 

*** 

"Whole" I hear the word, floating above my dark thoughts. I look at the woman, the cause of this delay. She had just been made whole. Maybe the Lord could make my daughter that way, too. Alive. Happy. Whole.  

*** 

Oh Messiah! Oh my daughter! 

He did not come! Jairus... he was not here.  

My daughter! The last feverish throws! Oh, horrid memory!  

Why are these people here. Trying to seem sad, beggars in rich clothes. Oh my daughter! 

Messiah! Bring her back! Please, bring her back to me! 

*** 

Three of us follow the Master and Jairus: Peter, my brother John, and myself. Working our way from one crowd to the next mob-- the one surrounding Jairus' house.  

Distinctly, we hear the tumult, sounding like one, loud, confused noise. Above the minstrels and mourners, the Master casts his voice.  

"Give place, why make ye this ado, and weep? The maid is not dead, but sleepeth." 

*** 

Who is this man, to disturb us? 

We have seen the girl, there is no breath in her. Does he take us for fools? 

He is deserving of ridicule, and mockery.  

The audacity! This common man, never seen before in this house, presumes to make us leave.  

The master of the house does nothing. He just wallows in his own sadness as we are escorted away.  

The audacity! 

*** 

Oh my daughter! The Messiah has not come! 

The noise dims around me dims. I look up from my daughter's death bed. 

Through my tears, I see a man, light radiating from him. He approaches, and I turn back to my child, and lay, weeping, across her still body. 

*** 

The hope that first woke in my heart on seeing the woman made whole has grown.  

This man could heal my daughter. Still, seeing her eerie quietness, I cannot help but cry. I go to kneel by my wife, one hand on her shoulder, the other on my child's knee. 

*** 

"Talitha Cumi. Damsel, I say unto thee, arise." 

Through my sobs, I feel a different throb. My daughter stirs. 

*** 

The three of us look at each other, astonished at the power the Master holds. To be able to raise from the dead... what a wonder. What a gift for these two parents, who are now embracing the maid.  

Finally, they remember who has blessed them, and they turn to the master. 

He tells them to tell no one what had happened. 

Then, with a gentle smile, he reminded them that the maid should have something to eat.